5 Tips To Rock Your First Time Using Drop Off Daycare

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Finding quality childcare can be the bane of a lot of working moms existence. When the kids are born, we struggle with having to go back to work. We wonder how in the world we can find someone to love and care for our babies as much as we would. We wish we could always be there for them…always.

Drop Off Daycare: Because Every Mom Needs A Break Once In A While

But you know what? Sometimes kids can get a little overwhelming!

Sometimes we need a break.

I first discovered this amazing thing called drop off daycare when my kids were really little in Colorado. It was in a shopping center a block away from my house. I don’t even remember how or why we started taking the kids there, I just remember how amazing it was to go to Target all by myself for an hour on Saturday.

At first I felt a little guilty.

I mean, I’m at work 40+ hours a week and then when I get the chance to be home with my kids – I took them to daycare.

But you know what? I’m not sorry. Going grocery shopping with little kids is freaking HARD!

I was so happy to drop them off for an hour or two and get some errands done. I didn’t have to be stressed out, and when I picked them up, they were HAPPY.

They got to go play with new toys and make friends – it was really a win-win situation.

And then we moved to Arizona, one of my first questions to my new mom-friends was, “where’s the drop off daycare?”

They gave me a funny look and my heart sank.

You mean to tell me I just moved to a new city, a new state, with THREE kids and there’s no drop off daycare??!

I almost cried. Almost.

After a really long year, I found out about KidsPark. I had all but given up on drop off daycare when I received an offer to review KidsPark on my blog. I was so excited, I literally jumped up and ran to tell my husband about it.

A post shared by Practical Mommy Hacks (@practicalmommy) on May 27, 2017 at 7:48am PDT

When we got there, the manager gave us a tour of the location, including an intro to the resident guinea pig. How cool is that?!

I dropped my kids off for two hours and went across the street to Starbucks for some blissful alone time. Glorious!

When I came back to pick them up – they didn’t want to leave! LOL They ran off and hid. When I finally got them to come out, they couldn’t stop telling me about the fun they had in the play house and the climbing mountain.

5 Tips To Rock Your First Time Using Drop Off Daycare

None of these things are NECESSARY, they’re just things I’ve learned and want to pass on. Really they apply to lots of situations.

Prepare ahead of time

Check the website and call ahead before you visit. Make sure you know if the kids need to bring socks, go barefoot or need close-toed shoes. Do they need to bring their own snack? What is served for lunch and how much does it cost? Can you pay by cash, check, card?

Get all your questions answered, so you get there prepared!

Pro Tip:Get the registration documents on the website and fill them out ahead of time at home.

Start slow

Don’t jump in to a full day of care (if you don’t have to). Take the kids for a short first visit so the get used to the place and the people.

Ask about special programs and events

Lots of times Kidpark sets up special events, movie nights, themed kid’s nights and other fun stuff. Ask about any planned events on the phone or when you drop off/pick up so you can make sure your kid’s have the BEST time possible.

Invite a friend

Everything is better when you bring a friend! Your kid will definitely meet new friends, but you might want to consider telling your kid’s friends parents when and where they are going. Especially for date nights!

Be prepared for mixed emotions

Sometimes kids are shy or anxious in new places. You know your kid best – you know how they are likely to react. Get ready for the emotions. I’ve found saying a quick, happy good-bye and not dragging it out works best. So many times, the kids calm right down as soon as mom or dad leave. You don’t want to prolong the time you say goodbye.

Pick ups can also be full of emotion. They are sure to be tired, so expect an early bedtime or nap. They probably have a few fun stories to tell. Make sure you ask them how they felt about their time and if they want to go back.

I want to hear from you!

Have you used KidsPark or another drop off daycare before? What did you think? Leave a comment with your thoughts.